This is the first company agreement that CEPI has signed since it was established in 2017 as a coalition to finance and coordinate the development of new vaccines to prevent and contain infectious disease epidemics.

The investment of up to $37.5 million represents an innovative approach to funding vaccine development, unlocking research and development potential so that vaccines are ready for efficacy studies during an outbreak. The agreement will enable funding for Themis’ development efforts over a five-year period. Additional financial details were not disclosed.

Lassa fever is a disease endemic in West Africa associated with annual outbreaks. An ongoing outbreak in Nigeria is believed to have infected nearly a thousand people and caused 90 deaths this year alone. MERS, first identified in 2012, causes a severe respiratory illness and has been associated with a number of outbreaks in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries.

“Establishing our partnership with Themis represents not only an important step in our journey towards tackling these diseases, but also a breakthrough in how we can partner and work with vaccine developers when traditional market incentives for development have failed," said Richard Hatchett, chief executive officer, CEPI.

Erich Tauber, chief executive officer and founder of Themis, said, “This agreement is a substantial validation of our technology and capabilities. It also allows us to move several programs forward as part of CEPI’s initiative and in collaboration with leading institutions worldwide, which is an honor.”